Marshall County Site Receives "Shovel Ready" Site Designation

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Two sites in north central Indiana earned the title of 'shovel ready' today, paving the way for businesses to quickly locate new operations on property ready for development.

The two new sites located in Elkhart and Marshall counties join the list of more than 85 other 'shovel ready' sites identified by the state since 2006 that have undergone extensive title work, proof of ownership, legal and environmental review and qualify for expedited permitting with state regulatory agencies.

"For businesses, time is money and more and more companies are looking for sites where they can have a shovel in the ground as quickly as possible," said Dan Hasler, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. "This program continues to be yet another vital tool in our economic development toolbox that gives Indiana the edge when attracting new investment to the state."

Recently, Amazon.com announced plans to locate its fifth Indiana facility in Clark County's 'shovel ready' Crossdock Site in the River Ridge Commerce Center, creating up to 1,050 new jobs. Last fall, Living Essentials, the producer of 5-hour ENERGY, announced it would build a manufacturing plant in the Wabash Business Complex 'shovel ready' site in Wabash County, adding 200 new jobs, and Tsuda Industries broke ground on its first North American facility in Mt. Comfort Air Park East, a 'shovel ready' site in Hancock County, creating 116 new jobs. Also, ITR America announced plans in November to expand its headquarters in Lake County's 'shovel ready' site in North Wind Crossing Business Park.

Passed in the 2005 legislative session as part of Governor Daniels' jobs agenda, 'shovel ready' sites are certified by the state's Fast Access Site Team that consists of representatives from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, governor's office, Indiana Office of Rural and Community Affairs, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana Department of Transportation, Indiana State Department of Health, Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the Indiana State Department of Homeland Security.

Certified sites have been eligible for matching grants to assist with eligible costs associated with applying for the shovel ready program. These sites are listed on the Indiana Economic Development Corporation's Site and Building Database at http://statein.zoomprospector.com/.

This online resource allows site selection consultants and businesses to research available commercial and industrial properties that are available for quick development and investment.

The most recent shovel ready sites receiving certification are:

Elkhart County(Elkhart) Beck Industrial Park(48 acres)

Marshall County (Plymouth)PIDCO - Commerce Industrial Park (57 acres)

About IEDC:

Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Dan Hasler serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC.

The IEDC oversees programs enacted by the General Assembly including tax credits, workforce training grants and public infrastructure assistance. All tax credits are performance-based. Therefore, companies must first invest in Indiana through job creation or capital investment before incentives are paid. A company who does not meet its full projections only receives a percentage of the incentives proportional to its actual investment. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.